THE NEARLY 6 MINUTE
TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE EXPEDITION
$3039.* PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
FROM SHANGHAI, CHINA, LAND PACKAGE ONLY;
ADD $715 FOR SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A ROOMMATE, WE WILL MATCH UP BY GENDER.
*prices subject to currency fluctuation, Chinese government fees or surcharges by airlines and ground operators, and based on a minimum group size.
Join the NASA Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society's 36th solar eclipse expedition. Although China was
the scene of the 2008 total eclipse of the sun, we are returning because the duration of total eclipse is
three times longer in 2009! This expedition will be coordinated by Paul D. Maley of the NASA Johnson Space
Center Astronomical Society and led by Astronaut and amateur astronomer Claude Nicollier,
Dr. Pat Reiff (Prof. of Space Physics at Rice University), and Jacques Guertin (noted solar eclipse photographer).
Note that one of the tour escorts identified here may be switched to the Iwo Jima tour due to the nature of two
simultaneous eclipse trips this year.
Links are posted at the bottom of this web page, just before the payment schedule for the main tour.
(Some modifications may occur due to routing and schedule changes in the region prior to the time of the tour. Final tour itinerary issued within one month of departure. B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
JULY 19 SUNDAY: Shanghai
Arrive Shanghai, on your own (or we can arrange airfare). After landing at Pu Dong airport and following
completion of landing formalities, you will be met by a representative of China International Travel Service
(CITS) holding a sign showing RING OF FIRE EXPEDITIONS. Assuming that you arrive with our air
flight, transportation will be provided to your accommodations
at the Hotel Sofitel Hyland Shanghai located on famous Nanjing Road pedestrian street, in the commercial
center of the city. Arrivals outside of this time will be at your own expense. Group flight arrangements
to be announced in a Tour Note.
Rest of day free. No meals are included today. Overnight Shanghai.
JULY 20 MONDAY: Shanghai
Shanghai's enchanting highlights will be the focus of your tour today. You will drive through Fuxing Park, which is famous for its huge trees and the nearby residence of Dr. Sun Yat-sen --- Chinese revolutionary and political leader often referred to as the "father of modern China." Next you will pass by the classic, beautiful Garden of Happiness (Yu Yuan) with its lovely teahouses, pavilions and ponds glittering with goldfish. Later, friendly monks will welcome you to the Jade Buddha Temple, the home of two solid white jade statues of Buddha. One of the statues is 2 meters high and weighs 1000kg. It is definitely something not to be missed! You will also visit the Bund, a great meeting place for local Chinese and foreigners alike, and then the Shanghai Museum. The Bund (Waitan) is one of the most recognizable architectural symbols of Shanghai. The twenty-four major structures, of uneven height along approximately 1.5 kilometers of Zhongshan Lu and the Huangpu River, have changed little externally since the 1930s. All were constructed in western-inspired styles --classical, Gothic, renaissance, eclectic and modern--a reported seventeen styles of architecture. The Bund has been called a 'museum of international architecture,' and indeed it was and still is. Lunch at a local restaurant is included.
After lunch return to your hotel for a free afternoon. This evening you will be collected from your hotel to enjoy dinner and a performance by the world famous Chinese Acrobats. The art of acrobatics is 2000 years old in China and is one of pure fun--the acrobats are often thought of as China's true ambassadors and many troupes travel abroad to perform. After the evening events you will return to your hotel. Overnight Sofitel Hyland Hotel, Shanghai. (B, L, D)
JULY 21 TUESDAY: Shanghai - Jiaxing
Following breakfast we will depart the hotel for the a visit to Shanghai Astronomical Observatory (SHAO) Sheshan station. Located on Sheshan Hill, Songjiang, and built in 1900 and founded by a French priest, is the earliest observatory in China. It is now Shanghai Astronomical Sheshan Station and one of our country’s centers of astronomical research. The Sheshan observatory is on the top of the highest geological point in Shanghai. It has two areas, one to the west of the Maria Basilica - the most important basilica of the Far East - and the other to the east. The two areas are known as the new and old areas respectively. The old area was first founded by a French Catholic missionary in 1900. Now the French-style construction has become the center for the popularization of astronomy in China, with a 40cm double refracting telescope also built in 1900 and an astronomical museum. The new area is now for professional observation and study and is not open to the public. The museum contains the first photos taken in China of a solar eclipse, that of January 14, 1907. A 40cm double astrograph was the first instrument installed. It was the largest telescope in East Asia at that time. It is one of a few telescopes in the world that observed Halley's comet both in 1910 and 1986.
From 1951 to 1981 SHAO provided the clock-time standard for all China. A new observatory was then established in ShanXi under the auspices of SHAO, which has provided this service since 1981.In the 1980s, SHAO built a 25m radio telescope for use as station in the Very Long Baseline Interferometery (VLBI) network; a 1.56m optical telescope; and a 60cm satellite laser-ranging system. These three facilities are still in frequent use today.
Parkyard Hotel, Jiaxing is located nearby a scenic lakeside in Zhejiang Province and surrounded by the Exhibition Centre, Grand Theatre, and Sports Stadium. Its convenient location is only 5 minutes’ drive to town and 5 kilometers from the exit of HuHang highway. Parkyard Hotel Jiaxing boasts a modern design, fitting its status as one of Jiaxing’s best hotels and featuring 168 rooms with simple and elegant design. The hotel has a Western Restaurant, a Chinese Restaurant with 15 private dining Rooms, Lobby Lounge, Grand Ballroom, Meeting Rooms, and Multi-Function Rooms.
Afternoon briefing on the total eclipse of the sun which will take place tomorrow. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight Jiaxing. (B,L,D)
JULY 22 WEDNESDAY: Eclipse Day
Following an early breakfast we will depart for the eclipse viewing site which will be announced in the morning. Those who want to remain at the hotel will have a chance to view 5m 20s of totality without going anywhere assuming the weather is good. Depending on the weather we will travel to the east or west of Jiaxing and this decision will be made in real time.
Following the eclipse, transport will be provided to the airport where we will transfer to Xi Tang, the most famouse ancient water town in Jiangsu Province. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Then transfer to the Shanghai airport to take the early evening flight from Shanghai to Xian. Depending on time we will have either pick up a box dinner at a local restaurant or from that famous fast food take out place known as McDonalds. Xian is the city made famous by the discovery of a buried Terra Cotta army. Following arrival at Xian airport you will be met by a CITS representative who will provide transport to your accommodations at the Shangri-la Golden Flower Hotel.
Overnight Xian. (B,L,D)
JULY 23 THURSDAY: Xian
Xian was once considered the world's largest city when it was the capital of the Tan Dynasty. It now has a population of 1.5 million and is changing from a backward consumer city into a modern industrial city. Your sightseeing will include a drive through the countryside to the Terra Cotta Digs where many outstanding archaeological finds have been made over the past few years, including the 6,000 life-sized Terra Cotta warriors and horses who have been guarding the tomb of Emporer Qin Shi Huangdi for 2,000 years. The Terra Cotta Army was discovered in March 1974 by local farmers drilling a water well to the east of Mount Lishan. The terra cotta figures are life-like and life-sized. They vary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with rank. The colored lacquer finish, molded faces (each is individual), and real weapons and armor used in manufacturing these figures created a realistic appearance. Unfortunately, the weapons were stolen shortly after the creation of the army and the coloring has mostly faded. However, their existence served as a testament to the amount of labour and skill involved in their construction. It is also proof of the incredible amount of power the First Emperor possessed to order such a monumental undertaking as the manufacturing of the terra cotta army. Lunch is included in your full day tour today.
After the tour, return to the city and visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda before returning to your hotel. This evening, you will enjoy a Chinese dinner and a dance show depicting the Tang Dynasty era. Experience the traditional songs and dances that have enthralled emporers and visitors for centuries. The beauty and power of another age is magically recaptured before your eyes. Overnight Xian. (B,L,SD)
Following breakfast we again depart the hotel for a city tour. Xian is a city that once vied wth Rome and Constantinople for the title of the world's greatest city. It has seen the rise and fall of many Chinese dynasties and the abundance of archaeological sites is enough to suggest that the city has long been a booming metropolis. Your sightseeing takes you to several well known places such as the City Wall. Xian is only one of a very few cities where the old walls are still visible. These walls were built in the time of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644AD) under its first emporer Hong Wu. Also included is a visit to the Great Mosque. Inside the Great Mosque are such treasures as hand-copied Korans from the Ming dynasty and a calendar stone called "the Moon Tablet". Although there is no minaret the "Introspection Tower", a two story pagoda, serves the same function. There are four courtyards. The fourth courtyard consists of the Prayer Hall which can accommodate 1,000 people at a time and according to traditional custom, prayer services are held five times everyday respectively at dawn, noon, afternoon, dusk and night. Lunch is included.
This afternoon transport will be provided to the airport to connect with your flight back to Shanghai via MU291 15:10/17:05. Shortly after arrival back in Shanghai, you will be met by a CITS representative and transferred to your hotel, the Pudong Ramada Airport. Tonight we will have our farewell dinner at Lubolang Restaurant, where former President Clinton also dined in past years. This restaurant is famous for its Shanghai delicacies. Overnight Shanghai. (B,L,SD)
JULY 25 SATURDAY: Departure for home
Check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Meals served aloft. As you cross the International Date Line, you will gain a full day and arrive in the USA on the same day you left China. End of a great trip!(AB)
PRE-TOUR TO TIBET JULY 9-18. CLICK HERE.
POST-TOUR AROUND BEIJING JULY 25-29. CLICK HERE.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE (per person)
CANCELLATION FEES (per person)
Travel Leaders/Future Travel recommends that each client purchase adequate trip cancellation insurance, medical, baggage, accident and other personal effects insurance. Trip cancellation insurance must be purchased at time of initial deposit. Clients should be aware that we cannot guarantee the weather for this astronomical event or any other.
TO PURCHASE THE "CRUISE, TOUR AND TRAVEL" INSURANCE PACKAGE PERFORM THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1) Read a description of the Travel Guard package: COVERAGE INCLUDES
2) Fill out the forms to buy the package here: TRAVEL GUARD INSURANCE LINK
